Why half Reynolds had to go
BRONCOSbound Adam Reynolds says he has no bad blood with the Rabbitohs as he prepares to steer the club to the title.
South Sydney CEO Blake Solly has defended claims the Rabbitohs botched the retention of their premiership skipper on the eve of Sunday’s grand final against the Panthers at Suncorp Stadium.
Reynolds had hoped to finish his career at Redfern, but will instead embark on a new chapter at the Broncos after being snapped up on a threeyear, $2.4m deal.
Reynolds’s departure represents one of the most controversial exits in Souths’ recent history, but it is understood the club faced a big-name player exodus if they matched Brisbane’s offer for the 31-year-old.
“We wanted Adam to stay,” Solly said. “But we also appreciated that we couldn’t match the security that Adam was seeking.
“There’s no question it was sad. His contribution to the club was massive over the years, but we also respected what he wanted at this time of his career, which was longerterm security.”
Reynolds will depart Redfern as the second mostcapped player in Souths’ 113year history with his 231st NRL game in the grand final.
Only former teammate John Sutton has played more games for Souths with 336, headlined by premiership glory in 2014.
Reynolds said he had come to terms with the club’s refusal to enter a bidding war.
“I understand how it works,” he said. “I still had a job to do. I was still employed by the club and captained the club. For me, it was important to turn up and do my job and I want to finish on a good note on Sunday night.”